The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-09-08
FOREIGN NEWS.

LONDON, Sept. ga theatre at Ex-
eter took fire this evening during per-
Torrance of Romany Rye. The occu-
pants of the pit, after struggle, es-
capped, but many were greatly injured.
There was only one exit from the gal
lery, and the crush there was terrific,
scores were trodden trodden under foot
and suffocated. a fire escape was
brought to window, and many inside
were rescued. Sixty corpses have been
removed. The survivors were sent to
hospital. The mortality is estimated
at 100.
The structure burned was the
Theatre Royal. 1t was built after the
latest designs and was deliberately
finished, being one of the prettiest IN
the Kingdom. There was a full house
tonight and everything was all right
until the end of the third act, at half
past 10 O'Clock, when a drop scene
fell and in a moment the stage was a
mass of fire. A wild panic ensued.
The occupants of the stalls, pit and
dress circles escaped after the dreadful
crushing, many being badly burned.
The actors and actresses were
in their dressing rooms when
the fire began and all es-
capped. The fire originated in the
flies and spread rapidly, filling the
theatre with smoke. The occupants
of the upper circle and gallery rushed
to the windows screaming frantically.
| Many jumped from the windows and
were injured. Others were rescued
with the aid of ladders from the
verandas.
MORE BODIES RECOVERED.
| LONDON, Sept. 6.-MOre bodies have
been taken from the ruins. The char
red remains of twenty persons were
discovered in one heap. a mother,
/ father and one child were found clasp
| ed in one embrace. all three had been
burned to-death. In nearly every case
the clothing had been torn off the
victims. From many of the bodies the
limbs were missing and the remains
showed evidence that they had been
wrenched OFF. Several whole families
numbering from two to five persons
lost their lives. The construction of the
gallery stair case accounts for the
great loss of life among the gallery PEG
i pie. Half way down the flight there
was a sharp angle. The first persons
who left the gallery got past thi:
safely, but several of those who fol
lowed were thrown down and damned
into the angle and were unable tC
extricate themselves owing to pressure
from behind. The stair case at thii
point was thus effectually blocked anC
there was no other means of escape.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE.
The scene shifter says the fire origin
ated among some gauZe, which in some
way became ignited. The flames
spread to the scenery, of which thu
stage was unusually full owing to thu
PREPARATIONS in progress for the pro
duction of apantomine. The audienc'
numbered 800 persons.
THE LOSS OF LIFE GREAT.
1t has been ascertained that Their
were 200 persons occupying seats in tn
gallery, and of these over 100 lost thef
lives. The search for the bodies still
goes on. 1t is very probable that tn
total number OF deaths VIII never b
ascertained, owing to the fact tina
: many OF the bodies were completed,
consumed. Two stalls Of stable be
longing to q hotel adjacent to tn
theatre are filed with remains that it
impossible to identify. Most of tn
killed were adults, and chiefly meh
, but few children persisted. The mum
cfpal authorities held special meeting
to-day, and arranged for the intermen
of ali unidentified bodies.
TO BE OFFICIALLY INVESTIGATED.
Replying to question TO the Hous
of Commons to-day Mr.. Mathews, tn
, Home Secretary, said that no oficia
survey of the Theatre Royal at Exeter
had been made by the home officG
Z The home office had no authority
> survey theatres in the provinces; ths
duty devolved on the magistrates
!; who had power to refuse licences
= their demands regarding constructio
= were not complied with. In the are
of London the Board of Works ha
power to inspect buildings and to in
sist upon all necessary alteration
v The calamity at Exeter showed th
necessity of legislation In the mattt
= and the Government intends to de-
6 with the subject.
n THE NQUEST.
e The inquest began to-day. Grove
d of mourning relatives were pTesen
y The Coroner intimated that it was d
j. sirabIe for sanitary reasons that a ge1
f erai order for burial be immediate
; issued. 1t was impossible TO identi
!. many of the bodies. The jury siInp
s viewed the remains. A public funer
i will be held tomorrow. A relief fuI
N has been raised. Captain Shaw, wi
s. is visiting Exeter, says that the Fl
IS spread with such rapidity owing
9. abundance OF inflammable mateTi
that no help from the outside won
have done any good. The fire briga
spared no effort, but 1t would be bett
Fl they were placed under one contr
re The Queen has sent messages Of syl
u. patty to the sufferers.
ne KILLED BY Az EXPLOSION.
al LONDON. Aug. 6.-While a big e
es was being cast at the Vicker's found
X in Shedield to-day, the gun expiodi
es- killing four men on the spot and inJ
ing many others. The buildings OF